Baldur’s Gate 3: don’t fear this titanic mega-RPG

These days, I often hear the phrase «Not really my thing» when I share my unbridled enthusiasm for Baldur’s Gate 3 with fellow gamers. Understandable, the game doesn’t seem very accessible at first glance: Dungeons and Dragons rules, a franchise in limbo for 20 years, all helmed by Larian a studio often considered a sleeper tip for fans of near-unending CRPGs (computer role-playing games).

You might think Baldur’s Gate 3 a game for a different time – but you’d be wrong. Let’s tackle some preconceptions…

It’s all way too complicated for me

Yes, Baldur’s Gate 3 can massively intimidate you at first with its rules and numbers. You can highly customise your character. Do you want to control the battlefield from a distance with your wizard spells? Or just hit the ground running as a barbarian? Or are you more of a pacifist and want to avoid conflict through skilful negotiation? Anything is possible! These and many more options hide behind a wide variety of class and race combos as well as other traits. All summarised in complicated descriptions like «You’re proficient in Religion and know the Sacred Flame cantrip, which deals 1d8 radiant damage. Wisdom is your spell modifier.»

Cue much confusion and fear of messing something up. But none of this really plays a vital role (in a role-playing game, pun very much intended). Just do what you feel like and forget the numbers and descriptions. Things getting too challenging? Then party members are by your side to help you out. Don’t like your character? Make a new one and start the game afresh! Do whatever you think is right!

I prefer games like God of War or Zelda with ready-made characters…

Then Baldur’s Gate 3 is your game! There are seven pre-made characters, each with their own story. For example, there’s the cleric Shadowheart, who has erased her memories and is committed only to the goal of bringing a secret artefact to the city of Baldur’s Gate. Or the vampire Astarion, who after centuries of torment wants to take revenge on his old nemesis Cazador. Kratos and Link seem like one-dimensional milksops in comparison.

Role-playing games? Too boring and way too much reading

I also struggled with this in games like Divinity or Pillars of Eternity. I have a tendency to skip boring dialogue until I lose my grasp on the story. But the brainiacs at Larian really outdid themselves. Instead of static puppets (cough Skyrim cough), dialogues and cutscenes are much more dynamically designed. I’m particularly impressed by the facial expressions and emotions of my counterparts. I hang on their every word, even in the most trivial conversations. Sure, it’s not quite as cinematic as a linear God of War or Last of Us. Baldur’s Gate 3 is nevertheless convincing thanks to excellent voice acting. The outstandingly written dialogues and stories as well as an excellent narrative pace are in no way inferior to linear games.

Turn-based battles? I want to destroy and experience action, like in Diablo

On this point it’ll be a bit harder to convince you. You either love or hate turn-based battles in the style of XCOM. The reward centre in your brain isn’t stimulated in the same way as when you destroy an army of demons with mindless clicking in Diablo. It’s just as boring, but also addictive as Cookie Clicker (and yes, I got stuck on Cookie Clicker for half an hour when I pasted the link). But maybe it’s time to put off that early-onset carpal tunnel syndrome and indulge in the tactical finesse of turn-based combat.

I don’t want to have druid sex with a bear

Yes, this is the bear elephant in the room. But keep in mind, the rules of swinging always apply: «Anything goes, but nothing must». By the time you can even enter into a love affair with another character, it’s no longer a coincidence – it’s what you both wanted. You’ll most likely never see the much-discussed scene – it’s not part of the main plot. You’re free to do what you want in Baldur’s Gate 3. For example, I slip into the shoes of a frustrated (white) knight, trained in sword-fighting, who never has a stab at his potential crushes.

What about replay value? Once I’ve been through the story, I’ve seen everything anyway

You couldn’t be more wrong. In Early Access alone, I’ve seen the main story go in very different directions, all down to completely different decisions. There are supposedly 17,000 possible endings. It’s currently rumoured that the main story will last over 100 hours. So if you want to see every ending, you’d have to play Baldur’s Gate 3 continuously for almost 200 years.

And if you still need convincing about why you can’t miss this hit, Phil and I are streaming co-op mode on Friday on our Twitch channel.